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This episode features Dr Reham El Shamy, Head of the Senior School at Beech Hall School Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Reham shares her personal journey as a female leader, drawing on the influence of her mother and a lifelong commitment to learning and development. Her story explores how leadership can evolve across generations, cultures, and contexts.

About Beech Hall School Riyadh

Beech Hall School Riyadh provides a balanced, inclusive education to international students from a wide range of backgrounds. The school places the values of Saudi Arabia at the heart of its approach, while offering diverse pathways to meet individual student needs — including Arabic and Islamic studies, delivered using the same high standards as the international curriculum.

Key Themes

Listening and Curiosity

Reham encourages her staff to truly listen to students and ask powerful questions, maintaining genuine curiosity about how young people interpret and experience their world. Dedicated time is built into the school timetable to allow these meaningful relationships to develop and deepen.

Reflective Leadership

Reham models reflective practice by learning alongside her staff and students. She also invests in keeping up with the latest research on teenage development, ensuring that her leadership is grounded in both lived experience and current thinking.

Embracing Technology Together

Rather than approaching technology as a challenge to manage, Reham advocates for learning alongside young people — letting students lead in teaching staff about the platforms and language they use. This collaborative approach builds mutual trust and helps the school community embrace present and future opportunities together.

Key Takeaway

Reham’s episode is an inspiring reminder that inclusive, intergenerational communities are built on listening, reflection, and shared curiosity. By closing the gap between staff and students — and between generations — schools can create environments where everyone learns, grows, and thrives together.

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Liz Smith and Hajra Abbasi, an exceptional teacher and teaching assistant partnership from The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Working together in a Reception Class, they share the secrets behind their successful collaboration and what makes their professional relationship thrive.

In this episode, Liz and Hajra discuss:

• How they established a strong foundation by sharing their vision for students from day one
• The importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities in the classroom
• Maintaining open and honest communication as the cornerstone of their partnership
• Mutual respect, equality, and supporting each other through the daily challenges of school life
• Keeping perspective and finding joy in the everyday moments with young learners

Beyond their classroom collaboration, discover how these educators channel their Early Years expertise and passion for child development into creative projects. Their latest venture is a published children's book that combines storytelling, illustration, and practical activities to help young children navigate emotions, worries, and doubts. It's an essential resource for teachers and parents alike.

Learn more about their book "The Best Version of Me": https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Version-Me-Pentalogy-Development/dp/9948701518

Whether you're an educator, teaching assistant, or parent, this episode offers valuable insights into building effective partnerships and supporting children's emotional development.

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This episode features a remarkable conversation with Jessica Delgado, Maki Nishihara, and Julie Villers, who transformed a competitive senior leadership interview process into a collaborative and supportive experience.

The Story

Three candidates found themselves competing for the same senior leadership position at a school. Rather than viewing each other as rivals, they chose to embrace a "Better Together" philosophy, supporting and encouraging one another throughout the entire recruitment process.

This collaborative approach allowed each candidate to show up authentically and perform at their best. The candidates demonstrate how transparency, fair planning, and clear communication from the interviewing school created an environment where this support was possible. They emphasise that interviews are a two-way process: candidates assess whether the school will help them succeed and grow, while the school evaluates the best fit for their community.

What Happened After

The collaboration didn't end with the interview. The three candidates formed a professional support group that continued long after the hiring decision was made. Now working as leaders in schools across different parts of the world, they lean on each other for clarity, perspective, and strength as they navigate the challenges of their new roles.

Their connection evolved into honest, reflective dialogues built on empathy and care. They developed what they call a "friendcabularly"—the ability to share openly about their evolving lives, acknowledge lonely moments, and help each other recognise things to be grateful for in their respective situations.

Impact

This powerful triad demonstrates how collaborative recruitment can create lasting professional relationships that extend far beyond a single job opportunity. The group provides a safe space where each member can seek help, develop resilience, re-centre themselves, and lead from their humanity.

Three Key Takeaways

• Lean in and collaborate. Whatever situation you find yourself in, building networks and supporting each other is the way forward. You are better together.
• Honour those who came before you. Remember that you're standing on the shoulders of role models who paved the way. Appreciate what others have done to help you reach where you are today.
• Share the experience. We perform better in recruitment processes and challenging situations when we share the experience with others. Reach out, provide support, and encourage each other to show up authentically.